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Full-Text Articles in Education

The Importance Of Inclusive Spaces In Social Skills Development: Drawing On The Lgbtq Educational And Disability Studies In Education Frameworks, Aja Mckee, Audri Sandoval Gomez, Kevin Stockbridge Mar 2021

The Importance Of Inclusive Spaces In Social Skills Development: Drawing On The Lgbtq Educational And Disability Studies In Education Frameworks, Aja Mckee, Audri Sandoval Gomez, Kevin Stockbridge

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This manuscript highlights a major finding from a larger study conducted in the United States that used phenomenological interviews with adults with autism who typed to communicate. Participants shared their United States educational experiences before and after learning to type. This finding focused on how disability studies in education and the development of inclusive spaces, such as those designed for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) students, may change the way in which educators support students with autism in developing and sustaining natural and meaningful friendships. Thus, this paper examined the social experiences of one participant who …


Stem For Everyone: A Mixed Methods Approach To The Conception And Implementation Of An Evaluation Process For Stem Education Programs For Students With Disabilities, Amy Jane Griffiths, John Brady, Nicholas Riley, James Alsip, Vanessa Trine, Lauren Gomez Feb 2021

Stem For Everyone: A Mixed Methods Approach To The Conception And Implementation Of An Evaluation Process For Stem Education Programs For Students With Disabilities, Amy Jane Griffiths, John Brady, Nicholas Riley, James Alsip, Vanessa Trine, Lauren Gomez

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Some students with autism spectrum disorder and other learning differences may have superior visual acuity, increased attentional focus, and logical thinking abilities, lending to an affinity for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. At the same time, economists report that, the United States will experience a 28.2% increase in STEM-related jobs between 2014 and 2024. Although students with disabilities (SWD) can help to fill those positions, 85% of SWD graduates are either underemployed or unemployed as they enter young adulthood. Thus, there is a need to develop, evaluate, and report outcomes of STEM preparation programs specifically tailored to SWD. …


Developing A Better Understanding Of Autism Spectrum Condition (Asc) In Girls & Women, Elyssa S. Male Jan 2021

Developing A Better Understanding Of Autism Spectrum Condition (Asc) In Girls & Women, Elyssa S. Male

2021 SLP Posters

Today, professionals are creating goals that are teaching and reinforcing autistic students to mask, but long-term masking causes mental-health issues and suicide in autistic clients.


Overcoming Challenges In The Assessment And Treatment Of Problem Behavior In Adults With Autism, Julia A. Iannaccone Sep 2020

Overcoming Challenges In The Assessment And Treatment Of Problem Behavior In Adults With Autism, Julia A. Iannaccone

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Problematic behaviors, such as self-injurious behavior or aggression, demonstrated by adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), create many significant life complications, some life-threatening. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is established as an evidence-based approach to treat problem behavior for children with ASD and shows promise as an effective treatment for adults, yet little research has been conducted within the adult population. Assessment and treatment of problem behavior with adults is often challenging due to funding limitations, increased severity and complexity of problem behavior, and underqualified staff. The purpose of the present study was to overcome these challenges by (1) identifying a …


Can Sensory Tools Help Students With Autism In Regard To Academics, Communication, Behavioral And Emotional Management?, Summer Rusher Jul 2020

Can Sensory Tools Help Students With Autism In Regard To Academics, Communication, Behavioral And Emotional Management?, Summer Rusher

Selected Honors Theses

Students with autism face many difficulties in the classroom and with everyday tasks outside of the classroom. In the classroom, they face difficulties with academic focus, communication skills, and behavioral management. Knowing this, academics, communication, and behavior were all evaluated. This thesis was written to decipher the effects of sensory tools on students with autism in the classroom and decide if sensory tools should be used more often in the classroom and at home. Sensory tools are a relatively new therapy idea. They are a wide range of tools that have all different functions and purposes. Some schools and families …


Including Autism: Confronting Inequitable Practices In A Toddler Classroom, Emmanuelle N. Fincham, Amanda R. Fellner Oct 2019

Including Autism: Confronting Inequitable Practices In A Toddler Classroom, Emmanuelle N. Fincham, Amanda R. Fellner

Occasional Paper Series

As co-teachers in a toddler room, we share a personal narrative about our experiences working with a child diagnosed with autism while in our care. Framed within the competing discourses of the medicalized perspective on disability and the individual, child-centered philosophies of early childhood education, we investigate the inequities we felt in the classroom and make connections to the field of early childhood inclusive education at large.


Music Therapy’S Role In The Education System, Madison Riley, Tori L. Colson, Moriah Smothers Sep 2019

Music Therapy’S Role In The Education System, Madison Riley, Tori L. Colson, Moriah Smothers

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Music therapy is a lesser-known and used related service, yet it provides significant benefits to students that have language, behavioral, and social needs. This article reviews the literature on music therapy, discusses its historical and theoretical roots, and examines its use in educational settings. Special attention is given to therapeutic practices that are geared toward students on the autism spectrum because their social and communication needs are often a good fit for music therapy practices. Recommendations on using music therapy in special and general education classrooms are also made. Additionally, recommendations for including music therapy content in teacher preparation programs …


Same But Different: Characters With Developmental Disabilities In Current Juvenile Literature, Tina Taylor, Kellie Egan, Kimberly T. Moss, Hannah P. Grow, Sharon Black, Mary Anne Prater Dec 2018

Same But Different: Characters With Developmental Disabilities In Current Juvenile Literature, Tina Taylor, Kellie Egan, Kimberly T. Moss, Hannah P. Grow, Sharon Black, Mary Anne Prater

Faculty Publications

As many children first encounter individuals with developmental disabilities (DD) through characters in children’s literature, these individuals must be depicted authentically. Using descriptive analyses, we evaluated 38 books written for children and adolescents (11 picture books, 17 chapter books) for their portrayals of characters with developmental disabilities, comparing the portrayals against those published in three previous studies. All books considered were eligible for the 2018 Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award. Data were analyzed regarding personal portrayal, social interactions, and exemplary practices. Results indicated that most characters portrayed have ASD (80%) and the majority are male (65%). Generally, characters with DD …


The Need To Revisit Legal Education In An Era Of Increased Diagnoses Of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity And Autism Spectrum Disorders, Heidi E. Ramos-Zimmerman Oct 2018

The Need To Revisit Legal Education In An Era Of Increased Diagnoses Of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity And Autism Spectrum Disorders, Heidi E. Ramos-Zimmerman

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

The ever-fluctuating rhetoric from experts, in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders, has led to outdated notions and perplexity surrounding attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This Article tries to clarify some of the confusion. Better understanding of these disorders is imperative for today’s law professor, since law schools are likely admitting more students diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. This Article discusses the need for change in legal instruction and explores the link between the two disorders. An examination of recent history illuminates some of the commonly held misunderstandings and highlights the disparity in the diagnoses of ADHD …


Ua10/1 Cec Newsletter, Wku Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex Apr 2018

Ua10/1 Cec Newsletter, Wku Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by and about the WKU Suzanne Vitale Clinical Education Complex.


The Effect Of Project-Based Poetry Writing Intervention On Writing Attitudes Among Students With Severe Learning Disabilities, John M. Bonanni Jan 2018

The Effect Of Project-Based Poetry Writing Intervention On Writing Attitudes Among Students With Severe Learning Disabilities, John M. Bonanni

The Graduate Review

Writing attitudes of three learners with severe disabilities were surveyed in a substantially separate special education classroom within a public school in Massachusetts in order to determine the effect on learners’ writing attitudes after a project-based creative writing intervention in poetry. Writing skills were measured using teacher-created rubrics and attitudes were measured using pre and post survey data. Primary diagnoses of students involved included Intellectual Impairment, Autism, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Findings indicated that the intervention was most successful for the student with autism, moderately successful for the student with Traumatic Brain Injury, and not successful for the student with …


What Makes That Autistic Student Tick? Strategies For Classroom Behaviors, Amanda Puleo Dec 2017

What Makes That Autistic Student Tick? Strategies For Classroom Behaviors, Amanda Puleo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Inclusion of autistic students in mainstream classrooms may make it difficult for teachers to identify and proactively address disruptive behaviors. That is, mainstream teachers may not know how to respond to these specific behaviors and their standard classroom management techniques may not work with autistic students. It will take commitment and hard work to identify strategies to regulate the disruptive behaviors of students with autism. To address this issue, the perspectives of directors and teachers who specialize in autism, as well as mainstream public or private school teachers were obtained through interviews. Three options for action emerged from an analysis …


Inclusive Education For Preschool Learners With Autism: A Program Evaluation, Rachel C. Morgan Nov 2017

Inclusive Education For Preschool Learners With Autism: A Program Evaluation, Rachel C. Morgan

Dissertations

This is an exploration of the perceptions and perspectives of early childhood leaders and practitioners with regards to preschool learners with autism engaged in inclusive educational settings. At a time when inclusive education is acknowledged as best practice, there is still a concern that many preschool learners with disabilities are receiving most of their supports in a segregated setting. Additional concerns noted in the current research relate directly to the beliefs, values, and attitudes towards inclusive education for learners with disabilities. No distinct study has been done with regards to this age group, nor to pinpoint the perceptions and perspectives …


Alternative Ways For Treating The Characteristics Of Autism Without The Use Of Medication, Heather Coleman Sep 2017

Alternative Ways For Treating The Characteristics Of Autism Without The Use Of Medication, Heather Coleman

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects one out of 66 children worldwide (Autism Speaks, 2015). Although, some people feel that medication is a benefit for treating individuals with autism, nevertheless, there can be alternative methods in the treatment of how the brain develops that does not include medication: such as brain based exercises, reducing primitive reflexes, and using a holistic approach. Through a series of extensive brain based exercises, in conjunction with reducing the primitive reflexes, as well as incorporating natural vitamins, minerals and essential oils, parents may able to see the brain grow in unison. Once the brain …


Use Of Technology For Children With Autism: Academic Success In The Least Restrictive Environment, Laura Scott Sep 2017

Use Of Technology For Children With Autism: Academic Success In The Least Restrictive Environment, Laura Scott

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a prevailing neurodevelopmental disorder that affects many aspects of a child’s life. Their communication and emotional regulation are hindered which makes it more challenging for them to thrive in the general education setting. Every child has the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment with needed support provided by its local school. Research has shown the use of technology to be a major contribution to student engagement and success. The focus of this article is to examine how a child’s communication and emotional regulation affect their academics and offer research based solutions. It …


From Railways To Radiators: How Support Teams Can Use Special Interests To Promote Success Among Individuals With Autism, Maggie Bredlau Sep 2017

From Railways To Radiators: How Support Teams Can Use Special Interests To Promote Success Among Individuals With Autism, Maggie Bredlau

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is currently being diagnosed at a rate of 1 in 68 children (Katz, Malow, & Reynolds, 2016). According to the DSM-V a diagnosis of autism carries with it two identifying characteristics: 1. consistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across more than one context; 2. restricted, repetitive interests that are evident through highly fixated odd interests. Children with autism can have difficulty finding ways to incorporate these highly-fixated interests into their daily lives. Research indicated that when individuals on the spectrum can incorporate their fixations into daily interactions and routines their self-esteem, social connections, career …


An Investigation Into The Experiences Of Homeschooled Individuals With Autism That Led To Success In The On-Campus College Environment: A Case Study, Carol Dolan May 2017

An Investigation Into The Experiences Of Homeschooled Individuals With Autism That Led To Success In The On-Campus College Environment: A Case Study, Carol Dolan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are rising, and more individuals with ASD are continuing to college. At the same time, homeschooling is becoming more prevalent, and more students with ASD are being homeschooled. These increases lead to the inference that colleges will see more homeschooled students with ASD applying for admission. The purpose of this case study was to understand experiences of individuals with ASD who were homeschooled that fostered success in the on-campus college environment. The central question guiding this research was: What are the experiences of individuals with ASD who were homeschooled that lead to success in …


One Treatment Plan For Autism Does Not Fit All, Diane Hassebrock Mar 2017

One Treatment Plan For Autism Does Not Fit All, Diane Hassebrock

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a serious neurodevelopmental disorder with a rising prevalence rate. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (2014) the rates were reported to be one out of every 68 children. Autism affects social interaction, interest, activities, communication, and causes restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behaviors. When a child is diagnosed with autism, it is important for the family to decide on a treatment plan. Treatment for autism is usually a very intensive, comprehensive undertaking that involves the child’s family and a team of professionals. The focus of this article is to explain the …


Identifying And Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Jennie Mcfadden Mar 2017

Identifying And Supporting Twice-Exceptional Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Jennie Mcfadden

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Twice-exceptional students are being over looked because the identification process is one sided and/or eliminates dual diagnoses. Twice-exceptional refers to students who are both gifted and have a disability (Segen’s Medical Dictionary, 2011). The method in which this research was completed included reading scholarly journals, textbooks, and educational websites. Although some children with autism are also gifted, never the less, the gifted talents of these children are often overlooked and not supported, because the disability masks their abilities, testing criteria, and behavior. The results identified that, because the students’ disability camouflaged their areas of giftedness is being over looked. By …


Independence Starts With Teaching: Implementing Evidence-Based Strategies To Build Self-Advocacy And Independence In Students With Autism, Kelsey Tobey Mar 2017

Independence Starts With Teaching: Implementing Evidence-Based Strategies To Build Self-Advocacy And Independence In Students With Autism, Kelsey Tobey

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

Although children with autism are dependent on educators to provide guidance; never the less, students also need opportunities to exhibit independence and advocate for themselves. If they are always dependent on adults, students with autism are not able to increase their independence in functional and adaptive skills. Through ongoing studies and observations, educators found students who are taught through research-based structures, such as the least-to-most prompt hierarchy and Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication related handicapped Children (TEACCH) tasks, are better prepared to exhibit independent living skills during further education and independent living.


Gifted With Asperger's Syndrome (Twice-Exceptional): The Difference Post-Graduate Certifications Held Make On Early Childhood Teachers' Knowledge, Terry Wright Dec 2016

Gifted With Asperger's Syndrome (Twice-Exceptional): The Difference Post-Graduate Certifications Held Make On Early Childhood Teachers' Knowledge, Terry Wright

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Twice-exceptional students (Gifted with Asperger’s Syndrome) can be difficult for even the experienced teacher. Robust knowledge of Asperger’s Syndrome and Giftedness prepares teachers to meet the needs of these often-unidentified students. The purpose of this cross sectional survey design research was to study how post-graduate certifications held (dependent variable) affected early childhood teacher knowledge (independent variable) of Asperger’s Syndrome and Gifted/talented learner characteristics. From two large suburban school districts and small, private schools in Central Texas, 242 early childhood teachers (pre-k-second grade) participated in three online researcher created instruments entitled Teacher Knowledge of Asperger Characteristics, Teacher Knowledge of Gifted and …


Two Models For Evaluating Evidence-Based Practices In Autism, Jennifer Lee Suppo Ed.D. Sep 2016

Two Models For Evaluating Evidence-Based Practices In Autism, Jennifer Lee Suppo Ed.D.

Journal of Research Initiatives

The search for evidence-based practices within the realm of autism has continued to be at the forefront of autism discussions in education. The author describes two models, CEC Practice Study Manual (2008) and the National Standards Report (National Autism Center, 2009), for evaluating interventions as evidence-based practices (EBP) in autism, and compares and contrasts their features. The author applies the National Standards Report model, as it is the most frequently used model when evaluating EBP’s, in an analysis of two interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that are known to be EBPs, and applies the same model in …


A View Of Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jennifer Reynolds Jun 2016

A View Of Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jennifer Reynolds

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Parents of children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encounter many stressors beyond the typical parenting pressures that parents of children without disabilities face. Along with the additional challenges, parents of children with ASD face complex needs that differ from parents of children with other types of disabilities. The purpose of this qualitative study was to consider the needs of parents (N = 10) with children with ASD served in a public school system in North Georgia through the framework of Maslow’s (1943) Theory of Human Motivation. A transcendental phenomenological design was used to provide a voice to parents of children …


Total Communication Methods For Preschool Children With Autism: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Parent And Professional Perceptions, Leigh Beesley May 2016

Total Communication Methods For Preschool Children With Autism: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Parent And Professional Perceptions, Leigh Beesley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental, phenomenological study was to explore experiences of using a total communication system with preschoolers diagnosed with autism as explained by their parents and teachers. The research focused on the experience specifically relating to functional communication and social interactions. Determining resources that parents and teachers need that may have made the employment of the strategies more successful, was of importance to this study in order to determine implications, or future needed research. The participants in this study, determined by purposive sampling, included parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, and speech therapist located in an elementary school setting. The study …


Post Hoc Analysis On The Effect Of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention Provided To Preschool Children On The Autism Spectrum, Catherine R. Maxwell Dumont Dec 2015

Post Hoc Analysis On The Effect Of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention Provided To Preschool Children On The Autism Spectrum, Catherine R. Maxwell Dumont

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) provides a framework for educators to assist children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to increase independence and positive social skills in the classroom (Reichow, 2012). Preschoolers with ASD who do not have access to programs tend to display negative and socially inappropriate behavior, such as acts of aggression, withdrawal, and inability to attend to lessons. Studies on program effectiveness documented that preschool children who received EIBI scored higher on IQ, language comprehension, imitation, expressive language, nonverbal communication, play, stereotyped behaviors and adaptive functioning compared to preschool children who do not receive EIBI. The literature …


Validation Of The Assessment Of Basic Language And Learning Skills-Revised For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using An Expert Review Panel, Jennifer Usry Sep 2015

Validation Of The Assessment Of Basic Language And Learning Skills-Revised For Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using An Expert Review Panel, Jennifer Usry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the content validity and inter-rater reliability of the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills-Revised (ABLLS-R). Lawshe’s method was used to examine content validity of the assessment based on item analysis of responses from a panel of six experts. The six reviewers were experts in the fields of behavior analysis and autism. Inter-rater reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) based on scoring information from a panel of five experts after watching a video model of the assessment being administered to a student. The five reviewers were experts in …


Pearl Harvesting Autism, Mariya Gruntovskaya May 2015

Pearl Harvesting Autism, Mariya Gruntovskaya

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This thesis addresses the difficulties of on-line information searching as it relates to the topic of autism. A review of existing search strategies is presented and their limitations are discussed. A new method for deriving a set of search-terms for comprehensive searching, Pearl Harvesting, was tested here to determine the necessary search terms (i.e., synonym ring) for ERIC and PsycINFO databases. Once discovered and validated, a synonym ring can be copied and pasted directly into the search box of the database, providing a simple, thorough and time saving way of conducting on-line research in the field. This easily used method …


Interventions To Improve Student Achievement In Mathematics For Middle School Students With Autism, Sherria L. Burney May 2015

Interventions To Improve Student Achievement In Mathematics For Middle School Students With Autism, Sherria L. Burney

Specialist in Education Degree (Ed.S.) Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of using Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) teaching sequence and explicit instruction to improve student achievement in mathematics in middle school aged students with autism and moderate intellectual disabilities. The effects of the CRA teaching sequence and explicit instruction were examined using a Multiple Baseline Design. Although the results in the curriculum-based measurements were inconsistent, all participants showed an increase in the pre-test and post-test scores.


Relationship – The Fourth “R” In Our Schools, Lee Wilkinson Dec 2011

Relationship – The Fourth “R” In Our Schools, Lee Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

No abstract provided.


Best Practice News: School Psychologist Wins Book Award, Lee Wilkinson May 2011

Best Practice News: School Psychologist Wins Book Award, Lee Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD

No abstract provided.